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I'm Blinky Bill! Center Of Extinction

© Graham Robards

I'm Blinky Bill! Center Of Extinction

Uploaded: May 27, 2010

Description

~ Re-entered August Monthy Theme~ Did you know that the Koala as well as our Dingo are facing extinction in Australia?
Extreme drought, ferocious bushfires and urban development could make koalas extinct within seven years. Ennvironmentalists are warning "The koala's future is obviously bleak." I captured this beautiful animal at the Hunter Valley zoo . Have a great day. ~Pat and Graham
RAW
Edited in Lightroom and CS5
ExposureTime : 1/800Sec
FNumber : F6.3
ISOSpeedRatings : 200
FocalLength :
FocalLength : 280.00(mm)
Taken around 2.30pm

Exif: F Number: 8, Exposure Bias Value: -1.00, ExposureTime: 1/50 seconds, Flash: did not fire, compulsory flash mode, ISO: 200, White balance: Auto white balance, FocalLength: 400.00 mm, Model: DSLR-A700

Comments

Paul E. Earl May 27, 2010

It is shocking what is happening to these wild animals! Let's hope we see some common sense soon!!
A cute little guy! #1272726

Graham Robards May 27, 2010

Thankyou so much Paul, it is shocking what is happening to our wild animals, so very sad!!! ~Pat #8647046

Joy Rector May 27, 2010

love this shot #8647098

Graham Robards May 27, 2010

Thankyou Joy. ~Pat #8647457

Monnie Ryan May 27, 2010

Oh no -- shows how ignorant I am! They're SO adorable (dingos not so much, but I don't wish extinction on them, either)! Love the detail on this cutie! #8648040

Graham Robards May 27, 2010

Oh Monnie, how delighful that you dropped in and thankyou so much for your sweet words. ~Pat #8648310

Renee Doyle May 27, 2010

Very cute capture of Blinky Bill!!! It is sad what is happening to our beautiful animals #8648324

Graham Robards May 27, 2010

Thankyou Renee, it is very sad what is happening to our animals, to see them lying dead on the road just about breaks my heart.

Once this great big land of ours belonged to them and they don't realise this, have no road sense.

Even though there are warnings beside the road, it still happens.

~Pat #8648330

Mary K. Robison May 27, 2010

Really sweet capture of wide-eyed Blinky Bill, Pat!
It's horrible to hear how mankind (AGAIN)is playing a part in the death and possible extinction of such a beautiful animal.
The other night, I saw a documentary on an immense reserve in Africa, whose caretakers have re-introduced animals - especially lions - to the wild. The experiment, after 10 years or so, is a success. I hope Australia will be able to do something similar over the next decade. #8648339

Dawn M. Dorland May 27, 2010

Such a great shot, makes one think you could have him as a pet. I hope to someday see Australia... and all its wonders so different from this part of the world. #8648351

Leslie McLain level-classic May 28, 2010

Terrific capture of this adorable animal. #8649088

Phillip R. Connolly May 28, 2010

Hello Blinky...and Pat, Graham and Cindy...I hope you are having a nice weekend!! Blinky, we will have to do a bit more to look after you I can see!! A very nice capture Pat!

Phil #8650096

Chris Ebben May 28, 2010

G'Day to you too, you're looking good. Good to hear you have found a safe home at the Hunter Valley Zoo. (Our Government sure have a lot to answer for!!!) Pat & Phil, Tony & I had a good time yesterday arvo meeting up with Marg & John, we even had the sun out the whole time. I'm sure there's going to be some good pictures for you all to see=^..^= #8650166

Karen Kessler May 28, 2010

I've always wanted to go to Australia to see the Koalas! Wonderful closeup of this cutie! #8650301

Graham Robards May 28, 2010

Hello everyone, so glad that you like our Blinky Bill!


It is so horrible that mankind is being so cruel.

Phillip, you and Carolyn should come out with us one time, it would be fun.

Chris, how wonderful that you caught up with John and Margaret, did he go over the moon when you told him about his awards lol.

Hey Karen, if you do come there is a bed for you here!

~Pat #8650373

Barbara Waldoch May 28, 2010

Excellent capture, Pat! #8650482

Carolyn J. Connolly May 29, 2010

G'day, Blinky - nice to meet you, mate!! I can see that you're being VERY well looked after there at Hunter Valley Zoo!! :o)

I hope common sense reigns, though, and in the future we don't face just being able to find you and your friends in zoos!! ;o/ #8651140

Wm Nosal May 29, 2010

Wonderful Shot, Pat! #8651682

John Connolly June 01, 2010

A wonderful capture of this cuddly Koala Pat!
On Kangaroo Island off the South Australian coast, they have multiplied to the extent where they have killed off most of their gum trees. They are trying to relocate some of them to the mainland! #8658323

Christine Lobsinger level-classic June 14, 2010

Pat and Graham, hello... dropped into our club Pat.. found Blinky... what a beautiful little guy.. thank God he is safe! I feel bad too about what man is doing in this world!!
Thank you for showing us him!!
SMILING CHRIS #8695355

John Connolly August 05, 2010

What a good idea to re enter this beautiful image Pat! Let's hope it makes it this time! #8808636

Graham Robards August 06, 2010

Thankyou John, I was looking for something to re-enter for the monthly theme and our dear Koala is becoming extinct and will be in ten years.

The next will be a Dingo for you, a new one.

~Pat #8809370

Carolyn J. Connolly August 07, 2010

What a GREAT idea to re-enter this image into the new month's theme, Pat!! :o) Blinky does have kind of a sad look in his eyes here...which is totally appropriate for your 'Centre of Extinction' theme!! :o(

I Googled for info. about the Koala...and especially the threats that it has been, and still is, facing:


Refer: http://www.thekoala.com/koala/


"Since European settlement, approximately 80% of Australia's eucalypt forests have been decimated. Of the remaining 20% almost none is protected and most occurs on privately-owned land.

Settlers favoured the rich fertile lands along the eastern seaboard to have their farms and urban developments. Unfortunately, this is where the majority of koalas are already living because they also like to live in trees which are growing in fertile soils.

The main causes of loss of habitat include:

LAND CLEARING

...It has also been documented that over 4000 koalas are killed each year by dogs and cars. It easy to see that the biggest threat to the Koala population is the human.

BUSHFIRES

Koala populations in fragmented areas of bushland are at great risk of localised extinction from a single fire which may wipe out an entire habitat. Bushfires are extremely common in the Summer months.

DIEBACK

Changes in the balance of the ecosystem can lead to dieback of trees... Seventy five percent of the main koala food tree species are declining in numbers as a result of this. #8812062

Carolyn J. Connolly August 07, 2010

OTHER THREATS

Today the natural predators of the koala do not make a significant impact on wild populations. They include goannas, dingoes, powerful owls, wedge-tailed eagles, and pythons, all of which are most likely to prey upon juvenile koalas.

Feral animals are another threat koalas have had to face since European settlement. Foxes have been blamed for preying upon young koalas when their mother descends to the ground to change trees, and large feral cats may also be a problem for young koalas.

Long droughts also have an effect on the Koala population.

DISEASE

Disease is part of the natural history of the koala. There are 4 common koala diseases caused by the chlamydia organism: conjunctivitis which can cause blindness, pneumonia, urinary tract infections and reproductive tract infections, which can cause female infertility. The symptoms of chlamydia manifest as sore eyes, chest infections, and "wet bottom" or "dirty tail". Different strains of chlamydia bacteria are thought to cause these diseases. In 1995, scientists isolated two strains called chlamydia pecorum and chlamydia pneumoniae.

Scientists now believe that the chlamydia organism has been occuring amongst koala populations for many years, and has acted as a natural population control in times of stress. The organism is harmless in populations with unlimited resources, but manifests in times of stress, such as happens when habitat is reduced. The weaker animals succumb to the disease, become sick, infertile or die, leaving the genetically stronger animals to continue breeding. In disease-free populations which have been moved to areas where they were not native or where there is not enough habitat to support them (such as on some islands off Victoria and Kangaroo Island in South Australia), problems with overpopulation have arisen because of this unnatural situation. However, this is not the case in most mainland populations, and indeed many of the mainland colonies are in decline. Koalas also suffer from a range of cancers like leukemia and skin cancers."


These pages make interesting reading, too:


http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/research/koalas.html

https://www.savethekoala.com/akfprofile.html

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~koalas/factsprobs.html

https://www.ihbi.qut.edu.au/news_events/ihbi_stories/koalas_chlamydia.jsp

http://www.chlamydiae.com/restricted/docs/infections/vet_koalainfections.php #8812063

Karen Kessler August 08, 2010

Excellent capture of this beautiful animal, Pat & Graham. The Koalas are so cute! Thanks for sharing this & the info with us, Pat. #8814312

Emile Abbott level-deluxe August 09, 2010

Hi Pat and Graham, Love this one but I understand you have been hanging out and shooting with John C. Watch out he is a very early riser. #8816218

Graham Robards August 10, 2010

LOL Emile, he is an early riser, he hasn't had much success with Graham though.

Hopefully one day because as you know over here in summer is a waste of time. Thankyou for visiting. Hope you are well.

~Pat #8819141

Nancy L. Green level-classic August 12, 2010

Doesn't get any cuter than this Pat, BEAUTIFULLY done!!! I pray your drought will end soon, as ours has this summer!! <>< #8823016

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